what are thumbs.db files ?

Question

i noticed that every folder has suddenly has a thumbs.db file. When I delete it, it comes right back. This is in every folder on my pc

Answer 1

The default behavior for many folders in Windows XP is to display thumbnail images of the files in the folder. This is primarily true of folders created from digital cameras or filed under the My Videos and My Pictures folders. Thumbs.db is Microsoft's way of caching thumbnail images of any image or movie file in a folder. The idea behind creating a thumbnail cache is to improve the speed of displaying thumbnails the next time you open the folder by caching a set of thumbnails for the image and video files in the folder. If you hadn't seen this file in your folders previously it's likely you didn't have "Show hidden files and folders" enabled. Deleting the Thumbs.db file simply deletes that cache, which is regenerated the next time you view the folder contents. It is possible to configure Windows to never cache thumbnails (see below).

One of the biggest annoyances to the Thumbs.db file is the way it changes folder settings. You can specifically set all folders in Windows to open in Detail view, for instance. If any folder contains a Thumbs.db file, that folder reverts to the thumbnail view, ignoring your preferences.

If you want to turn OFF this feature, here's how:
Open up the Control Panel
Select Folder Options
Click the View tab (see picture below)
Check "Do not cache thumbnails"
Click the OK button

Answer 2

Thumbs.db is a file used in Microsoft Windows that stores a cache for Windows Explorer's thumbnail view.